Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Save File Location
Last verified: 2026-09-21
- Windows (Steam)
%USERPROFILE%\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\<SteamID>\savegame- Windows (Microsoft Store / Xbox app)
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.MSPhoenix_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE- Xbox (360 / One / Series X|S)
My games & apps › <Game> › Manage game › Saved data
Here's exactly where Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition keeps your saves on PC, how to open the folder, and how to back them up before you reinstall or move to a new PC.
Save file locations
%USERPROFILE%\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\<SteamID>\savegame
Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\<numbers>\savegame . Replays sit alongside in the same profile folder; the <numbers> folder is your Steam ID.
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.MSPhoenix_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE
The Store/Game Pass build keeps saves inside its sandboxed Packages folder rather than your Games folder.
My games & apps › <Game> › Manage game › Saved data
Xbox saves sync automatically to the cloud with your Microsoft account; there is no user-accessible save file on disk.
Cloud saves
Age of Empires II: DE syncs saves to the cloud tied to your Steam or Xbox/Microsoft account. If a cloud copy conflicts with a local one, keep the newer file so you don't lose a campaign.
How to open the save folder
- Press Win + R to open the Run box.
- Type %userprofile%\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE and press Enter (Steam build).
- Open the folder named after your Steam ID, then savegame.
- Copy the save files somewhere safe before reinstalling or moving PCs.
Save problems & fixes
AoE2 DE saves missing after moving PCs
The folder is keyed to your account ID — sign into the same Steam or Microsoft account and let cloud sync finish before launching so it doesn't overwrite with an empty local folder.
Can't find the savegame folder
It isn't created until you actually save a game once. For Steam, type %userprofile%\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE in the Start menu search to jump straight there.
FAQ
Where is the Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition save file on PC?
Steam: C:\Users\<YourName>\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE\<SteamID>\savegame. Microsoft Store: under AppData\Local\Packages in the game's LocalState folder.
Where are AoE2 DE saves on the Microsoft Store / Game Pass version?
In the sandboxed Packages folder: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.MSPhoenix_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\Games\Age of Empires 2 DE.
How do I back up AoE2 DE saves?
Copy the files from the savegame folder somewhere safe. Restore by pasting them back into the same profile folder for your account.
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Need another game or a quick backup? Use the Save Location Finder — pick any game to get its exact save path plus a ready-to-run backup command.